Analysis: Congress May Run, But Can't Hide From Lewinsky Story
By Candy Crowley/CNN
WASHINGTON (July 30) -- Remember January? When the story broke, right after you first heard the name Monica Lewinsky? Washington, and Capitol Hill specifically, went nuts. There was some talk that the president would be gone within weeks.
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Sen. Chuck Robb
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In the heat of July, Capitol Hill has cooled considerably. For one thing, they've been distracted up here -- literally, sadly, by life-and-death issues.
"We've got so much going on here, and of course with the tragedy that took place here, we've had our own schedules kind of compacted," said Sen. Chuck Robb (D-Va.)
Still, the atmospherics are as serious now as in January. The difference is nobody's talking much. Somebody called it "a new maturity." That, and they also don't want to talk about it.
Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) said, "I hope Starr wraps this thing up and puts all of us out of our misery."
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Sen. Bob Kerrey
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Be careful what you wish for because the next step may be impeachment inquiries.
Whatever Ken Starr sends up to the Hill, if he sends anything, Republicans will not refer to it as the Starr report. For explanation see Starr's poll numbers.
Newt Gingrich intends to be otherwise occupied when -- or if -- the report comes.
This show belongs to 74-year old Rep. Henry Hyde, the even-handed grownup who heads the House Judiciary Committee.
Thickening the partisan insulation, Hyde's lead lawyer: Ready for this? He's a Chicago Democrat.
Hyde confidants say if the facts support the allegations, the president has a problem. If they don't, it's over.
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Rep. Henry Hyde
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Oh, a final note to schedulers: The Senate leaves town Friday for the month of August. The House recesses next week. Gee, that means they won't be around for the Lewinsky testimony or the president's. Hmmm.
So when she says and when he says, lawmakers won't have to say anything.
They can run, but they can't hide because this story will have fallout into September.
Republicans say they expect the president will try to change the subject from sex to shutdown in a budget confrontation. But Democrats say Republicans will try to push the envelope because figuring they are facing a weakened president.
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